Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 318 The Story of the Yellow Lion Dance
King Xue was furious, and the family banquet ended in discord. The sons took their leave in a panic. Xue Chongyi, the instigator, after delivering the message, also followed his father's instructions and left hastily without saying anything else.

King Xue was not a magnanimous person, and he had already harbored some dissatisfaction with Zhang Dai because of his brother-in-law Wei Jian's affair. However, given the vast difference in their social status and the fact that the emperor himself disliked his close relationship with his wife's brother-in-law, King Xue concealed his dislike.

Now, his anger was reignited by his son-in-law, and King Xue couldn't help but fly into a rage. As his emotions calmed down a bit, he began to think about how to get revenge on the brat.

"Is Xue Lang still at the residence?"

The first person Xue Wang thought of was his in-law Xue Tao, who served as the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and was Zhang Dai's superior. Since Xue Chongyi had come to report this matter, Xue Tao must also know about it. It's only right to ask Xue Tao to help get revenge on Zhang Dai.

"Your Majesty, Xue Lang has taken his leave."

Upon hearing the attendant's reply, Prince Xue immediately frowned, feeling that Xue Chongyi was truly clueless.

If Xue Chongyi were still here, the Prince of Xue could have casually given an order for the boy to go home and tell his father, and the matter would have been properly arranged.

However, if King Xue were to take the initiative to instruct his servants to inform him of this matter, firstly, he would undoubtedly owe Xue Tao a favor, and secondly, it would make King Xue appear narrow-minded and making a mountain out of a molehill, thus damaging the dignity of a king.

However, without Xue Tao's help, Prince Xue couldn't think of a way to teach Zhang Dai a lesson. They were from completely different worlds and rarely interacted except at court banquets.

If retaliation were to be carried out through power and influence, Prince Xue, despite his noble status, would currently only hold the nominal title of Minister of Works. Even though some officials in the Prince's court would come to pay their respects on the first and last days of the lunar month, stopping only in the front courtyard, with little to no frequent or in-depth interaction between them.

Even if he wanted to order the officials of the Prince's Mansion to enter the neighborhood and arrest Zhang Dai, the Zhang family was no ordinary family. If a fight broke out and attracted the attention of the public, the imperial court might even use this opportunity to further reduce the number of guards at his residence. In that case, not only would he fail to retaliate, but he would also lose face greatly.

After some deliberation, Prince Xue realized that he could only be angry for a moment, and in reality he had no means or ability to do anything to Zhang Dai.

This situation only made Prince Xue more indignant, and his mood worsened. After drinking a few cups of wine in anger, he decided to put the matter aside for the time being. He would either explain the matter when Xue Chong came to visit again, or he would wait until he met Zhang Dai again at the palace banquet and give him a good scolding.

Prince Xue was prepared to put the matter aside for the time being, but the others were not as calm and composed as he was, especially Hongxiao, the dancer and daughter of Lei Sibao who had been punished.

The dancer soon learned of the misfortune that had befallen her family. She immediately came to the Xue King's residence, weeping and begging for help: "I know I should not trouble Your Majesty with my trivial family matters, but my body and soul belong to Your Majesty. I see no world but Your Majesty!"
I am but a weed in the flower garden, only gaining a little color thanks to the King's grace and care. Of lowly birth and insignificant life, without the King's favor, even a gentle breeze and light rain would bring ruin upon my leaves and flowers!

My father, an actor, would never dare to commit any evil deeds. His only wish in life is to repay the King's kindness. Besides serving as an entertainer, he also trains his daughter at home, hoping that she can once again have the honor of pleasing the King.

Unexpectedly, despite our utmost caution, we have still suffered this sudden calamity… If Your Majesty does not save us, our entire family is doomed. My foolish father and mother would gladly die for our cause, but the girl I have been training has repeatedly boasted of offering herself to Your Majesty as your concubine. If she is abducted by this vulgar man, my family will be guilty of a grave sin!”

The female slave knew that her so-called favor was nothing more than Xue Wang's temporary indulgence in her beauty, talent, and flesh. In the end, she was just a plaything. Even if she begged, she dared not speak the truth directly and could only plead for mercy in such a roundabout way.

Although King Xue was in a bad mood, he had recently fallen in love with this woman. Now, seeing her crying so pitifully, his protective instincts were greatly aroused. So he said to the woman, "You don't need to cry and bring bad luck to this family. Now that I know what happened, I will not stand idly by. Go back and wait. Sooner or later, your family will be reunited."

Although he had sent the woman away, Prince Xue still didn't have a clear idea in mind. He thought about it all night, and the next day he summoned his official and instructed him: "Write a letter to Zhang Yan Gong and tell him to warn his grandson Zhang Dai to stop being so audacious and asking for trouble!"

The official quickly wrote a letter, but when it was presented to Prince Xue for review, the prince was dissatisfied with its wording: "Write another one, and make the wording even harsher! The emperor's brother is being made difficult by a mere brat, how outrageous... Don't write this sentence! Revise it again..."

The morning passed by amidst Xue Wang's constant criticism and hesitation, leaving dozens of discarded pieces of paper scattered on the ground.

In the end, Xue Wang was racking his brains but still couldn't come up with a letter that would satisfy him. So he simply changed his approach and said, "There's no need to write to Zhang Shuo anymore. Just write to Cui Rizhi, the Grand Master of Ceremonies. No, he and Zhang Shuo have an extraordinary friendship. If he makes excuses, he can write to Wei or Xue... Never mind, I'll summon Xue Lang again!"

Finally, Prince Xue decided to trouble his father-in-law, Xue Tao, again by having someone summon his son-in-law, Xue Chong, to his home.

Time quickly passed to afternoon, but the son-in-law did not arrive. Instead, the nephew, Prince Ruyang Li Jin, and Prince Bin Li Chengning arrived together.

"Why don't you two gather and play games in the neighborhood? How come you have time to stroll around here?" Although Xue Wang was somewhat annoyed, he still entertained the two in the hall.

"It seems that Uncle is complaining that the younger generation is not polite enough and not respectful enough."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Ruyang chuckled and joked, and Prince Bin, Li Chengning, chimed in, "We must bother Uncle Xue often in the future."

Prince Bin, Li Shouli, was the son of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, Li Xian. He was also a close relative of Emperor Ruizong, but the branches of the family were different and each had a different order of seniority. In order to show their close relationship, they addressed each other by their royal titles and appellations.

Upon hearing this, Prince Xue simply smiled and said nothing more. Prince Ruyang, observing his expression and noticing that he seemed somewhat unnatural, then asked with a smile, "Judging from your restless tone, Uncle, it seems you have something on your mind?"

Prince Xue originally did not want to talk about such undignified things in front of his juniors, but after glancing at Prince Ruyang, he couldn't help but be moved. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded and said, "Hua Nu's eyes are indeed discerning. I do have a problem that is troubling me. Since you have come to ask, you need to come up with a solution to help me resolve this problem! And Twenty-Five, you should also listen carefully and offer your advice with the mindset of a young man!"

He then recounted his troubles, but after listening, the Prince of Ruyang couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh. As he laughed, he looked at the Prince of Xue and said, "Uncle is truly kind, affectionate, and sentimental! He only admires the beauty and talent of actors, yet he worries about the well-being and plight of their parents and families. If he were to concern himself with the thousands of people inside and outside the mansion, it would truly be exhausting!"

Prince Xue was naturally embarrassed and annoyed by his nephew's ridicule. However, since even the current emperor admired Prince Ruyang and he was Prince Ning's beloved son, he couldn't help but give him some face. Upon hearing this, he sighed and said, "Hua Nu, don't mock your uncle. I have a kind heart, but I wouldn't extend it to servants."

However, Zhang Zongzhi is truly unbearable, and what's hateful about him doesn't stop there! This fellow has repeatedly provoked me, and I've always been magnanimous and tolerant, but unexpectedly, he's become even more brazen. Hua Nu, you don't need to laugh at my narrow-mindedness; don't you harbor any resentment towards Xu Gong of the North City?"

Upon hearing this, the smile on the Prince of Ruyang's face froze for a moment, clearly recalling the events of last year's year-end palace banquet. After a brief moment of thought, he looked at the Prince of Xue and asked, "Then how does Uncle intend to take revenge?"

"That's what's troubling me. If I make an issue of this, I'll inevitably be ridiculed by the public for making a mountain out of a molehill. But this matter is truly unbearable, and I'm planning to order his parents and superiors to discipline him severely and curb his arrogance!"

King Xue sighed again.

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Ruyang shook his head, disagreeing with the Prince of Xue's idea: "This fellow is skilled at flattery and ingratiation, using words to curry favor. Even if his relatives are questioned and forced to reprimand him, it will only be a minor punishment and will not appease the hatred. Such a madman should be dealt with according to the law of the land!"

"Does the Flower Slave have a plan?"

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Xue looked at the Prince of Ruyang with anticipation.

"Uncle, you are not in charge of rites and music, so you don't know much about the matters within. I have served as Taichang for many years, and I have heard quite a bit about the people involved. So, do you still remember the old story of Wang Wei's 'Yellow Lion Dance'?"

Among his brothers, Prince Xue was particularly unlearned and incompetent, so Prince Ruyang did not show him much respect, but they got along quite casually.

Upon hearing Ruyang Wang's words, Xue Wang's eyes immediately lit up, and he quickly pressed on, "So, Hua Nu, you plan to entice Zhang Dai to rehearse the forbidden dance? This plan is certainly good, but you only know one side of the story. My fourth brother also suffered greatly because of this last year; all his retainers left, and he lived a lonely old age..."

"Since there is a precedent, it is certainly not up to you and me to follow. The summer solstice will come soon. Apart from the occasion of the altar, there should be a grand feast in the capital to celebrate, with singing and dancing performances throughout the city and beyond. Zhang Dai is a man of literary talent, how can he possibly resist? As the saying goes, those who are good at swimming drown, and those who are good at riding fall. If someone were to entice him a little, he would surely fall into their trap."

As the Prince of Ruyang spoke, his face lit up with excitement: "The former Western Liang presented a grand melody called 'Liangzhou,' but when it was played by our Ye, it was in the Shang mode, which was considered a rebellious and disorderly tune. Therefore, it was sealed off and not performed, and was only passed down among the common people in various minor tunes. If it were to be opened without permission, the imperial censor would surely question it deeply, and it would be punished for selling its talent and exiled to a remote border state!"

"This idea is excellent, excellent! Let's examine it more closely and make sure this fellow is expelled from the capital!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Xue was overjoyed. Seeing that Li Chengnin was only listening without speaking, he immediately frowned and said, "Twenty-five, you are also a clever young man. What brilliant plan do you have to offer me?"

Seeing the uncle and nephew plotting to harm someone, Li Chengning cautiously shook his head and remained silent. Xue Wang quickly lost interest in him and began discussing the matter with Ruyang Wang with great enthusiasm.

(End of this chapter)